It was frustrating at first because I was used to drawing teeth, not handbags," says orthodontist Angela Theodora Anderson. Three years ago, while working in New York at different dental practices, including her own, Anderson saw a woman on the crosstown bus struggling with a hand bag, a tote bag, and a paper bag. "I'm like, 'Oh my God, she could just probably put everything in one nice fashionable bag and call it a day.' The light bulb came on." That one moment inspired Anderson to take a leap from teeth to chic by becoming a high-end handbag designer. In 2002, she launched angela Theodora, a handbag company that specializes in classic, polished designs that are also functional. "My bags are for anyone trying to add a little edge and funk to their conservative look," says Anderson.

Ranging in price from $175 to $500, each handbag is crafted from either calf hide, lambskin, or crocodile. "It's not just about style," insists Anderson, "it's also about the shape, the construction, and the feel." Designing timeless pieces that suit every occasion is Anderson's niche. The 49-year-old Cleveland native wanted her pieces to last for more than a season. "There are lots of companies doing the 'it' bag for right now," she says. "They're nice, of course, but I want my bags to always be appropriate." She also wants her clientele to break purse etiquette when sporting her designs. "Your handbag no longer has to match your shoes and belt," Anderson says. "Look at it as another piece of clothing you're wearing; if the color flows, use it.